Collapsible chair



March 10, 1931. J c w WALKER 1,795,911

COLLAPS IBLE CHAIR Original Filed Sept. 21, 1928 Patented Mar. 10, 1931UNITED STATES JAMES C. 'W. WALKER, OF ST. LOUIS, MICHIGAN COLLAPSLBLECHAIR Application filed September 21, 1928, Serial No. 307,878. R enewedJuly 21, 1930.

This invention relates to folding chairs, and particularly to a chair inwhich the back and seat are formed of a woven fabric which is connectedto a pair of relatively movable side frames, so that these side framesmay be folded into parallel relation.

T he prime object of the invention is to provide slidable means on theseat rail to permit the chair to be folded, and which-will not rubagainst and wear the varnish or other finish from the leg stiles as thechair is being folded and unfolded.

Another object is to provide a foldable chair of neat and pleasingdesign, which will be easy and restful to the occupant, and rigid andsubstantial when set up for use.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consistsin the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and particularlypointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes maybe made in the form, size, proportion and minor. details of 2construction, without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any ofthe advantages of the invention.

In the drawing: v

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable to chair embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a front view showing the chair folded.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the grooved stileand seat rail with a rider plate attached thereto.

Fig. 4 is also an enlarged fragmentary top plan view showing the legstile, rider plate and seat rail.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the back construction.

Referring now particularly to the drawing in which I have shown thepreferred embodiment of my invention, the chair comprises right and lefthand'frames, the left 50 the frame, both frames are formed identicallyhand frame comprising front and rear leg gether.

An arm rest 10 is rigidly secured to and connects the upper ends of thestiles, projecting beyond the rear leg stile for a purpose to bepresently explained.

A seat rail 11 is slidably connected to the front and rear stiles asshown, and includes a pair of rider plates 12 which are pivotallyconnected to the ends of the rail by means of bolts 13, said platesbeing oppositely flanged as shown at 14, the end of the flange beingturned inwardly to form legs 15 which engage and ride in the grooves 16and 17 provided in the leg stiles, and I wish to direct particularattention to the fact that the inner surface or walls of these riderplates, do not come in contact with the finished surface of the stiles,as the legs 15 which ride in the grooves 16 and 17 ,definitely space thebody of the plate from the surface of the stile. Consequently there isno scraping or marring of the chair finish as occurs where the riderplates slide on the stile proper. This is an important feature due tothe fact that chairs of this design are folded and unfolded a greatnumber of times.

The seat comprises a flexible fabric 18 I which is secured to the seatrails by means of tacking, sewing, or in any other approved manner.

In order to provide a tilt for the back without shaping the rear legstiles, I provide a short extension member 19 which I secure to the endof the arm rest and the back of the rear leg stile, strips of flexibleback fabric 20 and 21 being secured thereto. This makes a veryeconomical, construction, which is of pleasing appearance, as well asproviding the desired back inclination.

The lower rung 7 is rotatably connected to the leg stile by means of thebolt 22 and trellis bars 23 and 24 are rigidly connected to the rungs 7and seat rails 11 respectively, said trellis bars being pivotallyconnected together by means of a bolt 25 in the usual manner. a

The lower end of the grooves 16 and 17 provide a definite and positivestop, and pretively movable side frames, each having a vent spreading ofthe side frames, and the grooves are of sufiicient length to permit thechair to be tightly and compactly folded.

From the foregoing descri tion it will be obvious that I have perfecte avery simple economical, and substantial folding chair, which can becompactly folded, and which is of neat and pleasmgappearance What Iclaim is q 1.. A collapsible chair comprising relativel movable sideframes each having a for: ward leg stile and a rearward leg stile,grooves in the side walls of said stiles, seat rails interposed betweenthe front and rear leg stiles and having rider plates mounted on theends thereof, said plates being U-shaped and having inwardly projectinglegs, which are slidably mounted in said grooves, and foldable trellisbars connecting said side frames.

2. A collapsible chair comprising relaforward leg stile and a rearwardleg stile, grooves in the side Walls of said stiles, seat rails, riderplates pivotally mounted on the ends of said seat rails and providedwith inwardly turned legs engaging in said grooves, and foldable trellisbars connecting saidside frames. v

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

JAMES C. W. WALKEB.

